Press

ABSTRACT

A transfer press which utilizes two rams each carrying a plurality of forming plungers which may be independently adjusted in their rams with respect to both lash and shut height.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,785,194 Bradlee Jan. 15, 1974 [54] PRESS 2.925347 2/1960 Burns ..72/405 1 Inventor: ChaflesR-BradleeKokomoJnd- 31322123 1351323 S23E33?" 31:11:: 138/??? m1 Assigm Pmvidence 3:283:35; 5/133? IZSlZZi::;....... ""3313: 3513?; [22] Filed: Seplt29,1972 3,683,665 8/1972 Bradlee ..72/405 21 Appl.No.:293,403

Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby U.S. Atlorney .Anthony Delio et al 83/620, 100/257 [51] Int. Cl B2lj 9/00 58 Field of Search 72/405, 431, 452, [57] ABSTRACT 72/450; IOU/257, 292; 83/620 635 640 A transfer press which utilizes two rams each carrying a plurality of forming plungers which may be indepen- [56] Ref Cit d dently adjusted in their rams with respect to both lash UNITED STATES PATENTS and Shut 2,804,622 9/1957 Winberg 72/405 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures |||n..- Wm N l 1 t J a: 33 M 2e 35 1252 ll 51 2 o o n o r o o c o 1:- ?F: E-.-: i 22 L w 11 Z3 51:42 45 u 92: 4G w ll i 37 32? 7 gs; A59 5 345 48 t 34 .2 l: l 7: s 25 l t v 5 l v I H E 4'4 5% w 44 5! 54- l I U 12 lnq wtt .50

l mm" /'"5Z UILL IU' L,LUILHIULJI 24 0 JG l f g F l PRESS This invention relates to forming machines, and more particularly relates to machines of the type adapted to operate upon and form workpieces on a plurality of plungers, being of the type generally referred to as a transfer press.

Machines of the type to which this invention pertain generally comprise a ram or gate carrying a plurality of plungers vertically extending in side-by-side aligned relation with each plunger carrying a punch or forming tool and adapted to act upon workpieces successively moved beneath the punches. The plungers and the forming tools thereon are generally carried in a ram which is driven downwardly through a cam shaft acting on driving followers. After a forming stroke, the ram is lifted by the cam shaft acting on lifting followers to lift the ram. A press of this general type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,591 assigned to the same assignee as this patent. This invention may, in some respects, be con sidered an improvement over that disclosed in the aforementioned patent in that it provides a transfer press of increased versatility through the provision of a dual ram arrangement which permits higher forming pressures at the forming stations that require it and permit different type operations which require certain differences in phase.

The invention further provides new and improved means for independently adjusting the lash of each plunger with respect to its ram.

The invention further provides new and improved means for effecting independent adjustment of the shut height of each plunger.

Briefly stated the invention, in one form thereof, comprises a press in which one or more rams receive longitudinally therethrough a drive shaft with the driving and lifting cams thereon. The lifting followers are carried within the ram housing at an upper portion thereof while the driving followers are carried adjacent the bottom of the ram housing. A plurality of plungers are carried on the ram, and each has a non-translatable shaft extending axially thereof and threaded into a lash block received within an openingthrough the plunger. When the shaft is rotated, the lash block translates within the opening. This facilitates independent adjust ment of the lash of each plunger with respect to the ram. The effective overall length or shut height of each plunger may be adjusted independent of the lash and the other plungers.

An object of this invention is to provide a press of the type described having new and improved drive means.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved construction in a press of the type described for independently adjusting the lash of each plunger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a press of the type described having new and improved means for adjusting the shut height of each plunger.

' A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved press of the type described which may utilize more than one ram.

The features of the invention which are believed to Q be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention, however, both as to its operation and organization, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be appreciated by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the invention which is shown partially in half section; FIG. 2 is a view seen in the plane oflines 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view seen in the plane oflines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view seen in the plane oflines 4--4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view seen in the plane oflines 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of the feature of the invention shown in half section.

A press embodying the invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises spaced apart upright side frames Ill and 12, with a hori zontal die bed 13 extending therebetween. The side frames 11 and 12 are interconnected across the top thereof by a structural member 14. Carried on die bed 13, and generally indicated by the reference numeral 15, is a bolster adapted to receive forming dies. A transfer mechanism 16 adapted to transfer workpieces from station-to-station beneath the plungers is disposed above bolster 15. The transfer mechanism may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,665, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. While not illustrated, ejection or cooperating working plungers may be disposed beneath die bed 13 and the bolster as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,591.

A drive shaft 18 is journaled in side frames 11 and 12 and also a support member 19 depending from upper cross member 14. Drive shaft 18 has a portion 20 extending past side frame 12 and receiving thereon a drive gear or pulley 17 adapted to be driven by an electric motor (not shown). A bevel gear 21 is attached to shaft portion 20 and meshes with a bevel gear 22 on a shaft 23 adapted to be connected to the drive mechanism for the transfer assembly which is enclosed within casing 24.

First and second rams or gates 26 and 27 having guide rods 28 and 29 are driven and lifted by drive shaft 18, as hereinafter explained. The rams are attached to the guide rods 28 and 29, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2, through a rib-like member 25. The guides 28 and 29 move in upper member 14 and through a guide member 30 extending between side frames 11 and 12. Each of ram members 26 and 27 includes a housing 31 defining a passage therethrough for drive shaft 18. Carried within each ram housing are lifting followers 32 and 33 and driving followers 34 and 35. The followers 32 and 33 are rotatablymounted on a shaft 36 at the upper portions of the rams. Followers 34 and 35 are rotatably mounted on shafts 37 and 38 carried on support members 39 and 39a. The driving followers 34 and 35 in a driving or forming mode of operation are engaged by drive cams 40 and 41, respectively, on drive shaft 18.

The lifting followers 32 and 33 are engaged by lifting cams 42 and 43, respectively, also on shaft 18.

With this arrangement, the two rams are driven independently of each other in a phase relationship dependent upon the setting of the drive cams acting on each ram. This permits different type operationswhich require certain phase differences.

It is also within the scope of the invention to form the drive shaft 18 in two parts and drive each part independently. Additionally, the two rams could be utilized in a dual feed machine of the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,369,387 or 3,683,665. At the lower end of the rams are carrier members 44, each adapted to carry a plurality of plungers. As shown, one ram carries five plungers while the other carries four plungers. A blanking plunger 45 is independently driven by driving and lifting cams 46 and 47 acting on followers 48 and 49, respectively. The overall arrangement for the single blanking plunger may be as shown in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,387.

As is hereinafter described, each of the plungers 50 is constructed to facilitate independent adjustment of its lash and shut height.

All of the forming plungers 50 move in spaced apart guide slots defined in portions 51 and S2 of member 53. Member 51 is attached to cross members 30 and 30a which extend between the side frames 11 and 12.

All of the plungers 50 are the same and will be described with reference to the plunger as shown in FIG. 2. The plungers move in the openings 51a and 52a provided therefor in members 51 and 52 and generally comprise a cylindrical rod member having an opening 54 with parallel sidewalls therethrough, and are adapted to receive a forming tool 55 at the lower end thereof adapted to operate on a workpiece, not shown.

New and improved means are provided for adjusting the lash of the plungers. The lash may be defined as the distance that the ram moves on the upstroke before the plunger is engaged for lifting movement and may also be considered a dwell. A lash block 56 is received within opening 54 and is of lesser vertical dimension than opening 54, and therefore may be vertically adjusted therein. Block 56 may slide between the sidewalls of opening 54 and engage the top wall 57 thereof. A shaft or rod 58 extends through the upper portion of plunger 50 through a threaded aperture in lash block 56 and is fixed in position with respect thereto as by means of a set screw 59. A nut 60 is fixedly secured to shaft 58 intermediate the ends thereof. Shaft 58 is also fixedly secured as by welding to a member 61 at its upper end. Member 61 may rotate in a recess 62 in threaded connecting member 63. Member 63 is threadably received in carrier member 44 and locked in position with respect thereto by a lock nut 64. Nut 60 further provides a flange extending radially from shaft 58. On a down stroke, the flange providing nut engages the top of plunger 50 and drives it downwardly.

When set screw 59 is backed off and shaft 58 rotated through rotation of nut 60, lash block 56 will move vertically in recess or opening 54 to adjust the lash of the plunger 50. This will predetermine the lash which is the dimension between the upper surface of lash block 56 and the upper horizontal surface 57 defining recess 54.

Assuming there is a certain amount of lash as shown in the drawing, when the drive cams 40 and 41 engage followers 34 and 35 to move ram 26 downwardly, there is an equivalent amount oflash between nut 60 and the top of plunger 50. Therefore, the rod 58 will move down until nut 60 engages the top of plunger 50 after which the whole plunger will be moved downwardly in the downstroke. After the down or driving stroke has been completed and the lifting cams 42 and 43 engage followers 32 and 33 to move the ram 26 upwardly, nut 60 will move up an equivalent amount until lash block 56 engages the upper horizontal surface 57 in plunger 50 and starts to raise it. The distance that the lash block travels before it engages plunger 50 in a lifting stroke is a dwell period. This dwell is determined by the dimension between lash block 56 and surface 57. This lash adjustment of each plunger therefore allows the plungers to be independently operated from the movement of the gate or ram to which it is mounted with respect to the other plungers. The plungers have only linear motion by virtue of a guide block 66 secured to each plunger which moves between guide members 67 and 68 on member 53. In many applications, the engagement between guide member 66 and guide blocks 67 and 68 is frictional to eliminate dangling of the plungers during the drive stroke.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the threaded member 63 may be secured in position in carrier member 44 as by means of a lock or set screw 69 extending through carrier member 44 and in engagement with member 63.

While a particular part has been designated as the plunger, the overall plunger assembly includes shaft 58 and connecting member 63. The shut height, which is the dimension between the bottom ofa plunger and its cooperating die at the bottom of a driving stroke, is adjustable independently for each plunger. The shut height may be adjusted by loosening lock nut 64 (FIG. 2) or set screw 69 (FIG. 6), turning member 63 to adjust the vertical positioning of member 63 in carrier 44, then tightening lock nut 64 or set screw 69.

In operation, a forming stroke of the plungers 50 takes place when nut 60 engages the top of the plungers 50. The depth of this stroke of the plunger is predetermined by the shut height adjustment just described. This as well as the length of the tool determines the draw on the workpiece.

On the upstroke, the dwell or lash is determined by the dimension between the top of lash block 56 and the upper horizontal surface 57 defining opening 54. Thus during the upstroke, the plunger 50 will dwell until the ram 26 has been raised a sufficient distance for lash block 56 to engage surface 57.

The adjustments for lash and shut height may be readily made from the front of the machine without disassembly of any parts. i

It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description are efficiently attained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for purposes of disclosure, modification to the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A press comprising a frame, a ram movable vertically on said frame, a plurality of forming plungers carried on said rarn, means for cyclically driving said ram downward in a forming stroke and lifting said ram, a carrier member on said ram, a rod supported in said carrier member for rotational movement only, said rod extending axially into one of said plungers, said plunger having an opening therein intermediate the ends thereof, a block in said opening and movable vertically therein, said rod extending into said block in threaded relation therewith so that upon rotation of said rod said block may move only vertically in said opening relative to said plunger, the position of said block determining the dwell of said plunger on lifting of the ram.

2. The press of claim 1 wherein said rod is supported by a connecting member received in said carrier, said member being vertically adjustable with respect to said ram.

3. The press of claim 2 wherein said rod has a member for transmitting rotation thereto between said connecting member and said ram.

4. The press of claim 3 wherein said member transmits a driving force from said ram to said plunger.

5. A press comprising a frame, first and second rams guidably mounted to said frame for vertical movement with respect thereto, said rams defining a passage therethrough, a drive shaft rotatably supported on said frame and extending through said rams, driving and lifting cams on said shaft, driving and lifting cam followers within said rams adapted to be acted upon by said driving and lifting cams, respectively, and a plurality of forming plungers carried by each of said rams.

6. The press of claim 5 further including means for adjusting the lash of each plunger with respect to its ram.

7. The press of claim 5 further including means for adjusting the shut height of each plunger.

8. In a press comprising a frame member, a ram movable vertically with respect to said frame in forming and lifting strokes, means for driving said ram in forming and lifting strokes, and a plurality of forming plungers, the improvement comprising means attaching each of said plungers to said ram, a shaft mounted axially of said attaching means and extending axially of each of said plungers, said plungers having an opening therethrough intermediate the ends thereof, a block in said opening and movable only axially with respect to said plunger, said block threadably receiving one end of said shaft therein so that upon rotation of said shaft said block may be longitudinally positioned in said opening to predetermine the lash of said plunger.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said attaching means is threadably carried by said ram and may be longitudinally adjusted with respect thereto.

10. The invention of claim 8 wherein said attaching means carries said shaft.

11. A press comprising a frame member, a ram mov able vertically with respect to said frame in forming and lifting strokes, means for driving said ram in forming and lifting strokes, and a plurality of forming plungers, connecting means carried by said ram, a shaft mounted axially of each of said connecting means and extending axially of each of said plungers, means on said shafts arranged to engage and lift said plungers upon a lifting, and means on said shafts disposed between said plungers and said connecting means to transmit a driving force to said plungers upon a forming stroke of said ram.

12. The press of claim 11 wherein said means between said plungers and said connecting means is fixed to said shaft and arranged to transmit rotation thereto. l= 4* mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i n. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pa 3,735,194 Dated January 15, 1974 lfivntofls) Charles R: Bradlee It is certified that error appears in the above-identified natent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' a Column 6, line 21, after "lifting" and before the comma, insert stroke of said Tam Y Signed and sealed this ll th day of 197).};

(SE L) Attest:

it EDWARD ILFLETGHEmJR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Gffioer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A press comprising a frame, a ram movable vertically on said frame, a plurality of forming plungers carried on said ram, means for cyclically driving said ram downward in a forming stroke and lifting said ram, a carrier member on said ram, a rod supported in said carrier member for rotational movement only, said rod extending axially into one of said plungers, said plunger having an opening therein intermediate the ends thereof, a block in said opening and movable vertically therein, said rod extending into said block in threaded relation therewith so that upon rotation of said rod said block may move only vertically in said opening relative to said plunger, the position of said block determining the dwell of said plunger on lifting of the ram.
 2. The press of claim 1 wherein said rod is supported by a connecting member received in said carrier, said member being vertically adjustable with respect to said ram.
 3. The press of claim 2 wherein said rod has a member for transmitting rotation thereto between said connecting member and said ram.
 4. The press of claim 3 wherein said member transmits a driving force from said ram to said plunger.
 5. A press comprising a frame, first and second rams guidably mounted to said frame for vertical movement with respect thereto, said rams defining a passage therethrough, a drive shaft rotatably supported on said frame and extending through said rams, driving and lifting cams on said shaft, driving and lifting cam followers within said rams adapted to be acted upon by said driving and lifting cams, respectively, and a plurality of forming plungers carried by each of said rams.
 6. The press of claim 5 further including means for adjusting the lash of each plunger with respect to its ram.
 7. The press of claim 5 further including means for adjusting the shut height of each plunger.
 8. In a press comprising a frame member, a ram movable vertically with respect to said frame in forming and lifting strokes, means for driving said ram in forming and lifting strokes, and a plurality of forming plungers, the improvement comprising means attaching each of said plungers to said ram, a shaft mounted axially of said attaching means and extending axially of each of said plungers, said plungers having an opening therethrough inTermediate the ends thereof, a block in said opening and movable only axially with respect to said plunger, said block threadably receiving one end of said shaft therein so that upon rotation of said shaft said block may be longitudinally positioned in said opening to predetermine the lash of said plunger.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said attaching means is threadably carried by said ram and may be longitudinally adjusted with respect thereto.
 10. The invention of claim 8 wherein said attaching means carries said shaft.
 11. A press comprising a frame member, a ram movable vertically with respect to said frame in forming and lifting strokes, means for driving said ram in forming and lifting strokes, and a plurality of forming plungers, connecting means carried by said ram, a shaft mounted axially of each of said connecting means and extending axially of each of said plungers, means on said shafts arranged to engage and lift said plungers upon a lifting stroke of said ram, and means on said shafts disposed between said plungers and said connecting means to transmit a driving force to said plungers upon a forming stroke of said ram.
 12. The press of claim 11 wherein said means between said plungers and said connecting means is fixed to said shaft and arranged to transmit rotation thereto. 